Applebee’s is one of the largest casual dining chains in the nation. Applebee’s offers an assortment of mainstream options in their menu and a fun relaxed atmosphere for both customers and employees. If you are employed at Applebee’s and get hurt, could you afford to get medical care? Would you still be able to buy groceries or support your family? For many Applebee’s employees who are injured on the job, an injury would leave them unable to work and financially devastate their family. Safety Net for Injured Workers Workers’ compensation is provided for employees at no charge. It acts as a safety net. Each state has a law that requires most employers to have a workers’ compensation policy in place. If you are injured on the job, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. Policies often provide coverage for medical expenses. If an employee is unable to work due to injury, workers’ compensation may provide a portion of the employee’s wages. Company Profile: Applebee’s Applebee’s is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Incorporated, which is formerly IHOP Corporation. There are more than 2,000 locations in the United States with more than 28,000 employees nationwide. Risks Faced By Applebee’s Employees Applebee’s employees may face risk of injury regardless of the position that they hold. Food prep employees are at risk for slipping and falling because of a wet or slick floor. They are also at risk of cutting themselves as they prep vegetables. Severe burns are likely to happen to any kitchen staff because of the fryers, grills, and other hot surfaces. Servers, wait staff, and bartenders are at risk for slip and fall even if they wear the appropriate non-stick shoes, burns from hot plates, and over time repetitive stress injuries can occur from using point of sale systems. Heavy trays of food can also cause injuries to servers and wait staff. They can cause neck, back, or shoulder strains. If they trip and spill hot food on themselves, they can end up with severe burns. Hurt During Your Shift? If you are hurt during your shift, you should immediately stop working. Continuing to carry trays or otherwise doing your assigned tasks can make even a minor injury worse. Let your manager know you’ve been hurt. You will need to complete an accident report. If you have a medical emergency such as a severe burn, you can call 911. A police officer will respond and write a report. Get the police report number. You can get a copy of the police report at a later date. If you choose to file a workers’ compensation claim, ask your manager or HR rep for the name, address, and phone number for a doctor that you can see at no charge. You also have the option of seeing your own doctor, but you may need to pay out of pocket for the visit. If so, keep your receipts because you may be eligible for reimbursement. Learn About Your Rights Under the Law If you are having trouble getting workers’ compensation benefits or want to learn more about your rights under the law, consider talking to an experienced lawyer. A consultation with an attorney may help you clear things up and determine if you would benefit from representation. Additional Resources Applebee’s Workers’ Compensation FAQs *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Applebees or DineEquity, Incorporated, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
